Flora Fountain restoration stuck

Wednesday, February 07, 2018

For those travelling in South Mumbai, the Flora Fountain is an iconic landmark. This venerable fountain has withstood the test of time and has seen the passage of several decades (over 150 years to be exact!). Several generations of Mumbaikars and their descendants have gone past it, many on their way to work. Now comes news that the restoration work on the structure, which began late last year — and which often resulted in traffic bottlenecks in the area and which wasn’t a pretty sight either what with the black scaffolding and all – has been stalled due to a financial disagreement between the BMC and INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), the heritage society which was undertaking the conservation. The sum that the BMC is holding back from the restorers is relatively petty — reportedly Rs 8 lakhs plus – but it has blown up into a cause for obduracy and inconvenience to citizens. BJP spokesperson from Mumbai Shaina NC says, “Any heritage structure in the city that is being restored ought to be given priority. Whether it is Flora Fountain or Byculla railway station, a cause that I am personally involved with, heritage structures need to be brought back to their former glory. I hope that the BMC will resolve the dispute so that work is not held up there and so that the restoration can be brought to its logical conclusion.”

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